Mental health cuts are unveiled

Plans to help save £3m by closing wards and cutting mental health services in Cambridgeshire have been announced by health chiefs.

The proposals have been put forward by Cambridge City and South Cambs Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) which has a budget deficit of about £17m.

The plan recommends the closure of two patient rehabilitation units and a ward at Fulbourn Hospital, Cambs.

But a decision on cuts to the Young People's Service has been deferred.

Derek Bray, acting chief executive of the PCTs, said: "Despite these decisions, our two PCTs will still be spending above the national average on mental health services locally, and an extensive range of inpatient, outpatient, day case and community services will continue to be available.

"We will now work with the Mental Health Trust to ensure these proposals are implemented and reiterate our commitment to patient safety - which remains our highest shared priority."

The decisions announced include:

At Fulbourn Hospital, No 1 The Drive and The Gatehouse mental health units to close by the end of March 2006 and Cedars Ward to close by early 2007 as the South Cambs Resettlement Project is reopened.

That £1.1m be invested in the establishment of a Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Service (from February 2006 in Cambridge City and late Spring 2006 in South Cambridgeshire)

A decision on the future of the Young People's Services was deferred until the 22 February PCTs' board meeting to enable further consideration of options to take place.

Closure of Marlowe House mental health unit on the Ida Darwin site in Fulbourn - a 20-bed acute admission ward for assessment and treatment of dementia from February 2006.